Schmoll Maschinen

What Schmoll Maschinen does

Schmoll Maschinen GmbH is a family-owned German precision machine manufacturer founded in 1943 in Kronberg and now headquartered in Rödermark, where it operates its sole production facility. The company develops and manufactures high-precision micromechanic equipment for the global printed circuit board (PCB) and IC substrate industries, serving PCB fabricators and semiconductor packaging manufacturers through four core product lines: mechanical micro-drilling/routing machines, laser micro-drill/cut systems (including hybrid UV/CO2 pico-second systems), Micromirror Direct Imaging (MDI) lithography, and X-ray registration / inner-layer punching systems. All machines are built on temperature-stable natural granite platforms with frictionless linear motors and air-bearing spindles up to 300,000 RPM, controlled by a proprietary S80 CNC platform replacing the legacy S50 generation.

The business operates an enterprise direct-sales model with no e-commerce or standard list pricing — every system is quote-based and custom-configured with application engineering support. Revenue derives from one-time equipment sales, recurring spare parts and consumables, and ongoing service and maintenance contracts delivered through a global network of wholly-owned offices in 11+ countries (Germany, UK, USA, China, Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam) and certified regional partners. The portfolio is extended through wholly-owned sister companies IMPEX Leiterplatten GmbH (acquired 2019; measurement machines and PCB drilling service bureau, the largest in Europe) and ASSxLHMT GmbH (scoring, edge processing, automation, and flash cutting). Approximately 600 employees work worldwide, with roughly 450 based at Rödermark. As of 2025–2026, Schmoll is investing in a new global headquarters, expanding its Vietnamese footprint, joining the Fraunhofer IZM Glass Panel Technology Group for TGV substrates, and rolling out the S80 control platform across its installed base.

Name

Schmoll Maschinen

Legal name

Schmoll Maschinen GmbH

Website

https://schmoll-maschinen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1943

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Schmoll Maschinen GmbH is a family-owned German precision machine manufacturer (founded 1943) that develops high-precision mechanical drilling, laser micro-machining, direct imaging, and X-ray registration equipment for global PCB and IC substrate manufacturers, selling through direct field sales and wholly-owned regional offices across Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Precision Machinery Sales: Sale of high-precision PCB manufacturing equipment including mechanical drilling/routing machines, laser systems, direct imaging machines, and X-ray registration systems. Products are sold directly to PCB manufacturers globally through field sales with application engineering support. Pricing is quote-based for custom machine configurations.
2. Spare Parts and Consumables: Replacement spindles, spare parts, and consumables for installed Schmoll machines sold through the global service and spare parts network.
3. Service, Maintenance and Support: Technical support, preventive maintenance, repair services, remote diagnostics, and on-site service delivery through a global service network covering Europe, North America, South America, and Asia-Pacific.
4. IMPEX Measurement Machines and Drill Services: IMPEX, a subsidiary of the Schmoll Group, offers measurement machines and operates a PCB drilling service bureau, the largest in Europe.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Schmoll Maschinen develops and manufactures high-precision micromechanic machine equipment for the production of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and IC substrates, including mechanical drilling/routing machines, laser micro-drill/cut systems, Micromirror Direct Imaging (MDI) systems, X-Ray registration machines, inner-layer punch systems, and PCB automation solutions. All equipment is built in Rödermark, Germany on temperature-stable natural granite platforms and is sold directly to PCB and semiconductor packaging manufacturers worldwide through a global field sales and service network.

Product overview

Schmoll Maschinen is a global leader in high-precision micromechanic machine equipment for electronics manufacturing, particularly PCB and substrate production. The product portfolio centers on four core technology lines: (1) Mechanical Drill/Rout Systems including the MODUL, MX1, Falcon, Eagle, and Fixture series for precision drilling and routing; (2) Laser Drill/Cut Systems including Combi series, NanoDrill, PicoMaster, and PicoµDrill for laser micro-machining; (3) Micromirror Direct Imaging (MDI) systems including MDI-ST, MDI-TTG, MDI-Flex, and MDI-ULTRA for lithographic imaging; and (4) Registration Solutions including XRA³ X-ray machines and Optiflex II inner-layer punch systems. The portfolio is complemented by Automation Solutions (AUTO LINE SHUTTLE, CUBE LINE, ALS1 AGV, QLB), LHMT flash cutting integration, and IMPEX measurement systems as sister company products. The company is transitioning from its S50 to S80 generation CNC control platform. All machines are manufactured in Germany (Rödermark) using temperature-stable natural granite bases, linear motors, and air-bearing spindles up to 300 krpm. A comprehensive global service network supports customers worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IMPEX: Premium partner for high-class measurement machines and PCB drilling services. Part of Schmoll Group since 2019, develops and manufactures measurement machines specifically tailored for PCB applications.
• ASSxLHMT
• Schmoll Asia Pacific

Products and services

• Mechanical Drill/Rout Systems High-precision mechanical drilling and routing machines for PCB manufacturing, featuring multiple spindles for simultaneous drilling on natural granite platforms. The series includes MODUL, MX1, LIN, LM, MXY2, N-Series, X-Series, Falcon, Eagle, CpK, Fixture, R, RM, and RMXY variants, designed for prototyping, standard production, high-end/backdrill, substrate, and fixture applications.
• Laser Drill/Cut Systems Precision laser micro-drilling and cutting machines based on natural granite platforms with linear drives. Includes the Combi series (Combi350, Combi500, CombiMaster) for hybrid drilling, NanoDrill, PicoMaster (2nd generation achieving >8,000 vias/sec), PicoµDrill, PicoFlex, and PicoµCut for via drilling, micro-cutting, and skiving applications.
• Micromirror Direct Imaging (MDI) Systems Cost-efficient digital direct imaging systems with modular design on granite base, featuring high-power LED photoheads and DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) technology covering 365 nm to 420 nm wavelengths. Includes MDI-ST, MDI-TTG, MDI-Flex, MDI-ULTRA platforms with various exposure heads for resist inner/outer layer, soldermask, fineline, and chemical etching applications.
• XRA3 X-Ray Drilling Machines X-ray drilling machines for precise inner-layer registration of multi-layer PCBs, featuring 70 kV (90 kV optional) microfocus X-ray source and high-resolution CMOS detector. Available in standard and XXL formats with various automation options for multilayer PCB processing.
• Optiflex II Inner-Layer Punch High-precision inner-layer punch machine for processing substrates down to 50 µm thickness, featuring an intelligent transport system, XY-Phi alignment unit, and fixed mounting tools.
• Automation Solutions PCB automation solutions including AUTO LINE SHUTTLE, FLEX SHUTTLE, CUBE LINE, LADER systems, ALS1 AGV with Data Matrix scanning, Quatro Lot Buffer (QLB) for compact buffer storage, and SAM software enabling lights-out manufacturing and MES integration.
• LHMT Flash Cutting Integration Solution Combined Schmoll XRA3 X-ray and LHMT flash cutting solution for seamless panel processing after lamination, delivering precise alignment, flash-free contours, beveled edges, rounded corners, and fully automated unloading to L-Racks.
• IMPEX Measurement Machines and PCB Drilling Services High-quality measurement machines developed specifically for PCB applications and stacking solutions, plus Europe's largest PCB drilling service bureau, offered through IMPEX Leiterplatten GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Schmoll Group.
• Global Service and Support
• LHMT Flash Cutting Equipment

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 25% speed improvement over previous generation in Falcon series substrate machines
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature17 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Fraunhofer IZM — Glass Panel Technology GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025Schmoll Maschinen joined the Fraunhofer IZM-led Glass Panel Technology Group to focus on advancements in Through Glass Via (TGV) substrates, supporting next-generation semiconductor packaging applications. This strategic collaboration positions Schmoll at the forefront of emerging glass panel processing technology.
• LHMT GmbHcoreTechnology or Integration · 7 July 2025Integration of Schmoll's XRA3 X-ray machines with LHMT's flash cutting technology into a combined automated panel processing system. The solution enables seamless panel processing: XRAY precise inner layer fiducial identification and alignment hole drilling, followed by LHMT flash cutting for clean contours, beveled edges, and rounded corners, with fully automated unloading to L-Racks.
• IMPEX Leiterplatten GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Schmoll Group since 2019. IMPEX develops and manufactures measurement machines specifically tailored for PCB applications since 2006, and offers Europe's largest PCB drilling service bureau since nearly 40 years. Also provides stacking solutions since 2019. IMPEX serves as Schmoll's automation and measurement solutions complement, with service coverage for Austria and Eastern Europe.
• ASS x LHMT GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company within the Schmoll Group providing automation solutions, scoring, edge processing, and handling equipment for the PCB industry. Products are closely aligned with Schmoll's direct imaging, X-ray drilling machines, and punch systems. Long market experience of over 20 years has enabled customer-oriented product portfolio development.
• Ascent (India)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecord-breaking automated drilling deal in India — described as the biggest automated drilling deal in India — announced at Productronica 2025. Ascent represents Schmoll's largest India channel partnership commitment to date.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• MKS Instruments: US-listed multi-billion-dollar equipment and electronics specialist whose ESI (laser drilling/microvia) and Atotech (PCB chemistry) subsidiaries overlap with Schmoll's laser-drilling and PCB production tool business as part of a much larger portfolio.
• Hitachi High-Tech: Global electronics conglomerate whose PCB drilling and routing systems compete head-to-head with Schmoll in Asian PCB fabs, though drilling is part of a much broader semiconductor and industrial portfolio.
• SCREEN Holdings: Japanese equipment group with a leading direct-imaging and surface-finishing business for PCB manufacturing. Directly competes with Schmoll's Micromirror Direct Imaging (MDI) line, particularly in Japanese and Taiwanese PCB fabs.
• KLA Corporation: US-listed semiconductor process-control giant that acquired Orbotech, a major PCB inspection and direct-imaging competitor. Overlaps with Schmoll in imaging systems serving PCB and substrate customers, but at vastly larger scale and broader scope.
• TRUMPF: German laser and machine-tool leader providing laser sources and systems used in PCB microvia drilling and cutting. Comparable German engineering peer at much larger scale; competes with Schmoll's laser-drilling platform while also being a potential supplier of laser technology.
• Mitsubishi Electric: Diversified Japanese industrial group offering PCB drilling machines alongside factory automation, power systems, and electronics. Competes with Schmoll in mechanical and laser PCB machining but does not specialize in the niche.

Direct peers

• Manz AG: German equipment maker serving electronics (PCB, display, semiconductor packaging) and battery customers. Comparable German mid-cap PCB production equipment competitor with similar revenue scale and overlapping customer base in HDI and substrate manufacturing.
• Via Mechanics: Japanese manufacturer of PCB drilling and routing machines (NS Series, LM Series). Closest direct peer to Schmoll in mechanical micro-drilling for PCB and substrate production, with overlapping customer base across Asia.
• LPKF Laser & Electronics: German specialist in laser-based PCB prototyping and small-series production equipment. Comparable German mid-cap with overlapping laser-micromachining technology and similar PCB / electronics customer base, though more prototyping-focused than Schmoll's high-volume production orientation.
• Pluritec: Italian specialist manufacturer of PCB drilling and routing machines, distributed in Brazil via the same Lira/Pluritec channel that partners with Schmoll in the region. Direct niche competitor in mechanical PCB drilling.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/schmolldermaschinen
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@schmollmaschinen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schmoll-maschinen-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/schmoll_maschinen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Schmoll Maschinen